Dynamo ready for fight against Saprissa

Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Facing what could be a defining moment in their brief history, the Dynamo are up against things they have no control over, things that are bound to make winning tonight's crucial leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal series at CD Saprissa that much harder.

They are a banged-up team that is missing four starters and going against a quality and well-rested opponent. They are hundreds of miles removed from their comfort zone and have to play on artificial turf, something the team dreads. Worst of all, they will do it in the pressure cooker that is Saprissa Stadium near San José, Costa Rica's capital city.

With a victory mandatory to remain alive in the region's most prestigious international club competition, the odds are stacked high against the two-time defending MLS champions, who want to avoid faltering in the semifinals for a second straight year.

"It's going to be difficult," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said in the days leading up to the match.

Not all is lost, though. The series is even after a scoreless draw last week at Robertson Stadium. Aside from their approach and on-field play, things they do control, the Dynamo can help themselves to a legitimate chance if they can tune out "The Monster's Cave," Saprissa's field and one of the most hostile venues in the region.

One the home team is banking on for help to beat the Dynamo.

Home-field advantage

"At the end of the day, the only advantage we have is that things will be decided in our stadium," Saprissa coach
Jeaustin Campos
said. "That's the only advantage we have. The rest is all even."

Originally coined "The Purple Monster" (a nickname that was quickly passed on to the team) in the mid-1980s because of the way the purple stands seemed to move during sellouts, the Cave has been untamable to MLS teams, which are 0-4 in CONCACAF competition there, and just about every team that visits.

Dynamo players such as Ricardo Clark, who previously visited with the U.S. national team in a loss, are aware of its famous dizzying effect.

With its tight dimensions and double-decker stands rising at obscenely steep angles, it can be an intimidating place for anyone not wearing purple.

The passion and push emanating from the 23,000 fans on site are often overwhelming, particularly for MLS teams, which are used to more subdued environments.

How well the Dynamo handle the external pressure will reflect on the field — they cannot afford to be scared.

"The core of the team has been in situations like this before," he said. "We know what to expect.

"They're a team like any other. We know if we want to do well in this competition we're going to go down to difficult environments and get results."

Rowdy Saprissa fans

Adding to the stadium's reputation is the fact that it was recently fined by CONCACAF because of fan behavior toward opposing players in Saprissa's quarterfinal victory over Mexican champion Atlante last month, when some fans threw objects onto the field. One player was struck in the face by a coin.

In the end, it will be those on the field who decide the outcome in a sport where a match can be won or lost on a single play.

Lesson learned

Saprissa aims for a fourth Champions' Cup title and second in three years; the Dynamo want to become the first MLS team since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2001 to win the crown.

The team came close to reaching the final last year, taking a 2-0 edge to Pachuca but losing the series 5-4 in aggregate after the early lead fizzled as the team got punished for its defensive stance to start the second leg.

Saprissa, the three-time defending champion of the Costa Rican league, played conservatively at Robertson Stadium last week but will attack from the outset at home.